In a notice issued on July 30th, the United States Department of Transportation (DoT) shared that it has rejected the proposed schedules filed by major Chinese carriers. Until further notice, the government body also disapproves of any proposed schedules that may be subsequently be filed by the operators.
Not going ahead
Within the letter, the DoT addressed the Chinese outfits that made applications for new frequencies to the US. The group highlighted the disapproval of the following companies’ requests.
- China Eastern
- China Southern
- Hainan Airlines
- Sichuan Airlines
- Xiamen Airlines
In the document, the group refers to previous orders. Altogether it claims that the proposals from the Chines operators are not in the interest of the public.
“[The Department] has clearly ruled that the public interest requires scheduled passenger services by Chinese carriers only to the extent permitted by Order 2020-6-6,” the DoT said in the notice.
“The Department thus finds that any proposed scheduled passenger services by Chinese carriers in excess of or different from those services permitted by Order 2020-6-6 would be adverse to the public interest.”
The current schedule
Currently, there is a four-weekly-flight cap that applies to both US and Chinese airlines flying to either nation. According to CH-Aviation, the four Chinese allocations are as follows:
- Air China: Beijing Capital-Los Angeles
- China Eastern: Shanghai Pudong-New York JFK)
- China Southern: Guangzhou-Los Angeles
- Xiamen Airlines: Xiamen-Los Angeles
Meanwhile, US carriers operate the following routes to China:
- United Airlines: San Francisco- Shanghai (2x weekly via Seoul Incheon)
- Delta Air Lines: Detroit/Seattle-Shanghai (via Seoul Incheon)
Another twist in the tale
Nonetheless, this recent rejection is part of the ongoing foreign relations saga between the US and China. Carriers from both countries were eager to resume services following suspensions amid the global health crisis. While there has been some progress made this summer, airlines are evidently still looking to ramp up their flight programs.
Even though there are strict international travel restrictions in place across both countries, there seems to be enough demand for airlines to want more allocations. While tourists might be deterred for the moment, the two nations have strong business links. Therefore professionals may be looking to urgently hop across the Pacific.
Regardless, while passenger services are minimal, cargo operations are more prominent than ever between the US and China. Notably, Chinese airlines are looking to conduct 120 scheduled shipping flights to the US next week alone.
What are your thoughts about the United States Department of Transportation’s decision? How do you see the situation progressing? Let us know what you think in the comment section.